In the distance, on the slope of the low hills, stand out prominently a number of houses, some of them quite pretentious, white and gleaming in their new dress. This is the Rotterdam Colony, a settlement of Hollanders who have only lately arrived here. There is not a colony anywhere which promises to be more interesting, and which is likely to prove a greater success. The Dutch as a people had succeeded with colonization long before any other nation began a similar work, and, as immigrants to this State, they are most desirable. Industrious, saving, intelligent and persevering, with good land, plenty of water at all times of the year, and with a good location which insures health and comfort, there is no reason why they should not succeed. The colony is most beautifully situated on high sloping ground,--a veritable mesa land overlooking the vast Merced plains, and only four or five miles distant from the city. These Hollander colonists are the very best kind of settlers the State can get,--not the ignorant peasantry of Europe, but intelligent and well-educated people, which any community can be proud of. There is great activity in the colony just now. Thousands of acres are covered with magnificent grain, which, without any more rain, would give a profit of from twenty to twenty-five dollars per acre, and thus materially help to pay for the land. A hundred or more horses and mules with their drivers are plowing and harrowing the soil; and such a plowing is not often seen anywhere. The plows are set about a foot deep, and the work is done by the canal company just to help the settlers along and give them a good start. What more can they expect? Good treatment is in Merced dealt out to everybody,--a good policy which should be followed in every new colony in the land. We stop at the newly-built house of Mr. Canne, a gentleman of middle age with a large family, and hearty and pleasing, as is so characteristic of the Dutch. His house is large, very comfortable and airy, with large verandas overlooking the country far and wide. Inside everything is cosy and neat, with lots of mementoes from quaint old Holland, with colored china on the walls and odd tables and odder bric-a-brac, family heirlooms from generations back. The old grandma, with her eighty-one years, has come along with the younger folks, happy as they, and, as they, meeting bravely and with confidence new times and experiences in the new country which they have chosen as their home. Our wishes for good luck are not needed; it is sure to come when such people are settled upon such land, and when everybody enjoys everybody else’s good-will. The land which is now being broken is to be planted to olives, almonds, oranges, peaches and vines,--a very good selection indeed, and one which cannot fail to prove profitable. The deep red soil on the mesa will grow almost anything, and with proper care and management this colony must in the